Homemade Gifts Are The Best.

As a child, I fondly remember the act of creating gifts for my parents.  Often times, my craft of love took the shape of a hand made card which was usually folded to resemble a heart with the sentiment of my adoration scribbled on both sides of the pink construction paper.  Part of my joy in the creation was when my parents would gush over how much my gift meant to them, and then my art would quickly find its way to the coveted space for any child's work- the refrigerator door.  There, it would remain for weeks until my parents elected to take it down.  Usually, it was only to be replaced by yet another card.

Today, I witnessed adults' labor of love which was beautifully and thoughtfully created by Dr. Clement and Mrs. Sue Ellen Bloom.  The hand-fashioned treasure came in the magnificently stunning form of a boat which was hand made and  hand painted with love by the Blooms.  Now, its place in this world will be assisting the Virginia Beach SPCA's Wildlife Program where it will enable the water-rescue and assistance of  injured wildlife for many years to come.

So, as I run my hand over a smooth side of this unnamed vessel, I am reminded that my parents were right all along.  Homemade gifts really are the best.
~Amy

Be Kind With Your Line

Most people never think about what happens to old fishing line after it is off the rod and reel.  And to be honest, we didn't either until it started invading our world in a disturbing way. Isn't that always how a project or cause takes root?

Our Wildlife volunteers began getting calls about birds and other wildlife becoming entangled in discarded monofilament line.  Some of these animals were stranded and others were unfortunately injured.  Tragically, we just heard that a goose that our volunteers rescued from this kind of entanglement back in January, died earlier this week while still recovering from it's injuries.

The Virginia Beach SPCA is partnering with several local groups to establish a new fishing line recycling initiative, “Be Kind with Your Line,” that will help keep monofilament line out of the ecosystem.

Monofila-what?

Monofilament line is thin, nearly invisible, strong and may stay in a waterway for as long as 600 years!  Mammals, reptiles, and even fish can become entangled leading to injury, disfigurement, drowning, strangulation, or starvation. Discarded line can also impact boats and humans. People can be caught by hooks hidden on discarded line. Boat propellers are frequently fouled with monofilament line. Once entangled, a prop may seize up. Line can enter bilge pumps, water intake valves, or wrap around the lower unit causing damage.

Come out and help

Waterway Cleanup - Saturday, July 14

Volunteers will be out a several area locations to remove monofilament and other material from local waterways:

• Stumpy Lake
• Hell’s Point
• Rudee Inlet to Owl Creek Ramp
• Northwest River
• West Neck Creek
• Little Island
• Lynnhaven Boat Ramp
• Munden Point

In addition to shoreline workers, we are also in need of volunteers with boats and kayaks.  For more information or to register, go to recycleyourline.com.

Even if you can’t make the July clean-up, you can still help.  The recycling effort will go on throughout the year, and volunteers can be trained to do their own cleanups.  We are also looking for people who can help build the recycling boxes needed to collect the line!